Faith in Action: Missionfest Manitoba 2026 Brings Hope, Service, and Community Together

Every year, in the middle of winter when the days are short and people tend to turn inward, something remarkable happens in Winnipeg. Thousands of people gather under one roof, not for spectacle or politics or profit, but for something far deeper. They come together for belief. They come together for purpose. They come together for faith.

Missionfest Manitoba 2026, held from February 6 to 8 at Church of the Rock, once again brought together more than 137 exhibits representing ministries, organizations, and initiatives from across the province and far beyond. People walked through the halls, stopping at booths, listening to stories, shaking hands, and learning about the work being done quietly and steadily in communities near and far. Some came with strong religious convictions. Others came simply curious. What united them was a shared sense that there is something bigger than ourselves that calls us to care for one another.

Faith, in its purest form, is not about labels or denominations. It is not about which building you enter on a Sunday morning or what tradition you grew up in. It is about belief. It is about trusting that there is a higher purpose guiding us, especially in moments when the world feels uncertain or overwhelming. Whether someone calls that higher power God, spirit, or simply hope, the core of it is the same. It is the belief that love, compassion, and service matter.

Walking through Missionfest, it became clear that much of the work being done on the front lines of humanity is still being led by faith based organizations. When someone is hungry, it is often a church kitchen that opens its doors. When someone is struggling with addiction or mental health, it is often a ministry or community group that steps in to help when no one else can. When disaster strikes in another part of the world, it is frequently missionaries and humanitarian teams who arrive quietly and begin rebuilding lives piece by piece.

These efforts rarely make headlines. There are no grand announcements or flashing cameras. There is simply a steady commitment to showing up for others. That spirit filled the entire conference. From conversations about homelessness to discussions about mental health support, from feeding programs to global missions, every exhibit represented people who have chosen to serve. Not because it is easy. Not because it is profitable. But because they believe it is the right thing to do.

At the heart of it all are the people who make the gathering possible. Tim and Brenda Noble have spent more than seven years helping to lead and organize this event, pouring their time and energy into something they believe matters. Their dedication reflects the quiet strength behind Missionfest itself. Year after year, they and many others work behind the scenes to create a space where people can connect, learn, and be inspired.

“It was a privilege to witness and walk into a place where so many different walks of life come together in mutual respect is something that stays with you. There is a sense of gratitude that comes from seeing people united not by sameness, but by shared intention. You begin to appreciate how many individuals are out there giving of themselves in ways that most will never fully see.” Said Don Woodstock

Missionfest Manitoba is not new. Founded in 1989 as an incorporated non profit charitable organization, its original purpose was to create a three day gathering that would inform, inspire, and encourage people to become more engaged in the work of service and outreach. Over time, it has become a catalyst, bringing ministries and missions together with churches and individuals, creating a place where knowledge, experience, and passion are shared openly. For many who attend, it is not just an event. It is a reminder of why they serve in the first place.

What sets this gathering apart is not only the number of exhibits or the scale of participation. It is the feeling that settles in as you walk through the space. Conversations happen between strangers who quickly feel like friends. Stories are exchanged about places most people will never see and people most will never meet. There is a quiet understanding that every booth represents lives being touched somewhere in the world, whether that is across the street or across an ocean.

There is also a sense of continuity. People who attended years ago return and bring their children. Volunteers who once walked the halls as visitors now stand behind tables sharing their own experiences. The mission becomes something that passes from one generation to the next, not as an obligation but as a calling. In that way, the event is not just about what is happening now. It is about what will continue long after the doors close for the weekend.

At its core, Missionfest serves as a meeting place for purpose. It connects the person who wants to help with the organization that knows how. It connects those who have experience with those searching for direction. It gives shape to the idea that faith is not only something personal. It is something that moves people to act, to build, to reach out, and to stand beside those who need it most.

As the weekend comes to an end and the exhibits begin to pack up, what remains is something that cannot be boxed or stored away. It is the reminder that belief has power when it is lived out. It is the realization that so much of the good happening in the world is carried forward quietly by people who simply refuse to stop caring.

And maybe that is what truly brings it home. In a world that often focuses on what divides us, this gathering stands as proof that we are far more alike than we are different. We all want meaning. We all want to belong. We all want to know that our lives can make a difference in someone else’s story. Faith, in whatever form it takes, becomes the bridge that connects that shared desire to real action. It reminds us that beyond the titles, the traditions, and the backgrounds, the heart of service is the same everywhere.